Isla Lipana & Co. marks 91st year with change in leadership

Isla Lipana & Co., the Philippine member firm of the PwC global network of professional services firms, is marking its 91st anniversary with a turnover of chairmanship after four years.

Sitting at the helm as Chairman and Senior Partner is Judith V. Lopez, who was elected to the position in 2009. Current Vice Chairman and Tax Managing Partner, Atty. Alex Cabrera, takes over effective 1 July 2013.

After graduating Cum Laude from the University of the East, Lopez started in 1978 as an Associate when the firm’s name was Joaquin Cunanan & Co. In the same year, she earned her license to become a full-fledged Certified Public Accountant and placed 20th in the roster.

Rising the corporate ladder, she was made a partner in 1991, served as Lead Partner in Financial Services from 1997 to 2006, designated Managing Partner for Assurance in 2001, and then appointed Vice Chairman in 2006 while concurrently the Managing Partner for Assurance.

Lopez also served as the past president of the Association of Certified Public Accountants in Public Practice (ACPAPP) and the ACPAPP Foundation. She held various positions and handled different responsibilities at the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), the latest of which was being the Chairman of the Professional Development and Research Committee.

Currently, Lopez is the chairman of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Council and president of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX).

Atty. Cabrera is a CPA-lawyer and is a practitioner of both his professions. He secured his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy in 1987 from the Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA), which in 2006 also recognized him as one of its outstanding alumni. He obtained his Juris Doctor at the Ateneo de Manila University in 1994 while working full time at Isla Lipana & Co.

In 2002, he founded Cabrera Lavadia & Associates law firm where he is the managing partner.

In 2006, he served as Isla Lipana & Co.’s tax managing partner and was appointed Vice Chairman in 2009. Currently, he is the firm’s brand, communication, markets and business development leader as well as General Counsel.
Aside from his full time responsibilities with the firm, he also works before Congress and administrative agencies of the government. In addition, he is a sought-after tax resource speaker, having lectured in investor forums overseas.

Isla Lipana & Co. helps organizations and individuals create the value they’re looking for. We’re a network of firms in 158 countries with more than 180,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax and advisory services. Tell us what matters to you and find out more by visiting us at www.pwc.com/ph.